Hurricane on alert after 3rd armed robbery

Jan. 12, 2013 @ 10:45 PM

HUNTINGTON -- Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards is urging residents to be on high alert following seven reported armed robberies recently.

The last one was reported Friday on Lower Coach Road, where the homeowner was robbed at gunpoint. Edwards said it was the second time the house was hit, but this time the homeowner was prepared and fired shots at the suspect as he fled.

Edwards said other incidents have been reported at Linden Lanes and Kingswood Estates, mostly near Sycamore Road.

He added that two were reported in Hurricane, four others elsewhere in Putnam County and one in a neighboring county.

He said victims have described a similar-appearing suspect at 5 feet, 9 inches to 6 feet tall, light hair and thin build. He was last seen wearing camouflaged pants and jacket and a black hoodie.

Edwards said social media has helped in gathering information, as he put out an initial post on the "Mayor Scott Edwards" Facebook page following Friday's incident. He said hundreds of people reposted it, commented or contacted him.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Hurricane Police Department at 304-562-9911 or even Edwards at 304-419-0022.